Exciting new rehabilitation technology has arrived at Active Neuro.
Active Neuro, part of Adelaide Active, is excited to introduce the BTL R-Gait — an advanced robotic gait rehabilitation system designed to support people working towards improved walking and mobility following neurological conditions.
Now available at our Welland facility in Adelaide, R-Gait adds another dimension to the way our Physiotherapists and rehabilitation team can deliver intensive, task-specific walking practice.
For people living with the effects of stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, it means access to a new form of technology-supported rehabilitation right here in Adelaide.
What is R-Gait?
R-Gait is a robotic gait rehabilitation system designed to help people practise the movements involved in walking.
Rather than simply moving a treadmill underneath the person, R-Gait uses sensor-equipped flexible footplates, dynamic body-weight support and pelvic movement to guide the lower limbs through a walking pattern.
The system can provide support while allowing the person to actively participate in the movement, with the level of assistance tailored by the treating clinician.
R-Gait can also provide real-time gait biofeedback and measurable training data, helping clinicians monitor aspects of walking and track progress over time.
Why is repetition so important in neurological rehabilitation?
When someone experiences a stroke, brain injury or neurological condition, movements that once happened automatically can become difficult.
Rehabilitation often involves giving the nervous system opportunities to repeatedly practise meaningful movements.
This is where technology such as R-Gait can play an important role.
Clinical guidelines support repetitive, task-specific practice following stroke and recognise electromechanical gait trainers as one option for enabling intensive walking practice, particularly for people who require assistance to walk.
R-Gait gives our clinicians another way to deliver this practice in a controlled and supported environment.
More than robotic walking
One of the exciting aspects of R-Gait is that rehabilitation can be adjusted to the individual.
Depending on clinical assessment and rehabilitation goals, sessions may incorporate:
- Dynamic body-weight support to assist the person while walking
- Flexible footplates designed to reproduce elements of natural foot movement
- Pelvic movement in multiple planes
- Pressure sensors and real-time feedback
- Gamified activities to encourage participation and weight shifting
- Measurable gait information to help clinicians assess and monitor progress
The technology can be used with both adults and children, where clinically appropriate.
Who may benefit from R-Gait rehabilitation?
R-Gait may form part of a rehabilitation program for people experiencing walking or mobility difficulties associated with neurological conditions, including:
Stroke • Traumatic Brain Injury • Cerebral Palsy • Parkinson’s Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Spinal Cord Injury • Other neurological conditions affecting walking and mobility
Suitability is determined individually following assessment by the treating clinician.
Technology is only one part of the rehabilitation journey
While R-Gait is exciting technology, the machine isn't the rehabilitation program — it's another tool our clinicians can use within it.
At Active Neuro, technology-supported gait training can be combined with a broader rehabilitation plan incorporating Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, strength and conditioning, balance and mobility training, hydrotherapy, functional rehabilitation and other rehabilitation technologies.
This allows us to work towards what matters outside the machine: improving a person's ability to move, participate and work towards greater independence in everyday life.
Bringing advanced rehabilitation technology to Adelaide
The arrival of R-Gait represents an exciting step forward for Active Neuro and Adelaide Active.
Our goal in developing the Active Neuro space has been to give South Australians greater access to neurological rehabilitation options, bringing experienced clinicians, rehabilitation technology, hydrotherapy, exercise and intensive rehabilitation together within one facility.
For Adelaide clients, this means opportunities to access technology-supported gait rehabilitation without having to look interstate or overseas for this type of equipment.
And R-Gait is only one part of the growing Active Neuro technology offering.
Discover what's possible at Active Neuro
Whether you're recovering following a stroke, living with a neurological condition, supporting a child with cerebral palsy, or looking for new ways to work towards your mobility goals, our team can help you understand which rehabilitation options may be appropriate for you.
Active Neuro is part of Adelaide Active and is located at our Welland facility in Adelaide.
Speak with our team about an initial neurological Physiotherapy assessment, R-Gait gait training or our individually designed Intensive Rehabilitation Programs.
Technology. Movement. Possibility.
Individual results vary. Rehabilitation technology is used where clinically appropriate following assessment by a qualified health professional.
